Duties

The following are the duties of this position at the GS-12.. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.
-Participates in providing computer operations support; developing, maintaining, and monitoring the operations of a Network Operations Center; participates in serving as a technical specialist for the local area and wide area networks within the Department of Agriculture's SCA-IT organization and operations; ensures uninterrupted availability of the SCA-IT s networks by participating in coordinating network monitoring activities, analyzing network performance statistics, and identifying and correcting component malfunctions.

-Participate in providing technical advice and assistance to users to enable them to meet present and future ADP and telecommunications requirements.

-Participate in collaborating with customer service engineers to determine causes of equipment malfunctions and to devise acceptable methods to prevent downtime occurrences; assists in using appropriate test equipment to isolate and correct hardware software telecommunication problems.

-Participate in planning the layout of exiting computer equipment, release of discontinued equipment, acquisition and installation of new equipment, and the relocation of equipment; considers such factors as power needs, air conditioning loads, cable connections, maintenance access, and operator efficiency

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service . One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your resume.
Key Requirements:

Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."

Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience for the GS-12 is one year of experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent, which has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position includes all of the following:

-Managing and maintaining a network infrastructure that is providing end user services such as; Cisco Network infrastructure or Juniper Network infrastructure (i.e. WAN Routing Protocols, WAN Circuit Technologies, Cisco Virtual Private Networking, Nexus Switches, QoS, multicast, VoIP, and/or Radio Control over IP (RCoIP)), to a large-scale organization of 10,000 or more end users spanning at least 10 different sites; AND
- Experience identifying problems, generating or evaluating alternatives and make recommendations; AND
- Communicating with stakeholders to prepare and coordinate the release of new technology to a wide customer base.

In addition to specialized experience, individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.
1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
Time-in-Grade: In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following time-in-grade requirement, if applicable: For the GS-12, you must have been at the GS-11 level for 52 weeks.

Time After Competitive Appointment: Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a non-temporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.

Additional information

As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
• CEC offers alternative/flexible/telework schedules for eligible positions.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• A one year probationary period may be required.
• Pass a pre-employment security investigation
• Public Trust - Background Investigation will be required.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System
  or are exempt from having to do so.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form i-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
• Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.

Our comprehensive benefits are very generous. Our benefits package includes:
- Challenging work, opportunities for advancement, competitive salaries, bonuses and incentive awards.
- Ten paid holidays, 13 days of sick leave, and 13 to 26 days of vacation time each year.
- Access to insurance programs that may be continued after you retire.
-A wide choice of health insurance plans, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and no waiting periods. We pay a substantial amount (up to 75%) of the health insurance premiums.
- A retirement program which includes employer-matching contributions.

- Learn more about Federal benefits programs at: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits